Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine (IAFM) - Official website of IAFM

J Indian Acad Forensic Med. Jan- March 2012, Vol. 34, No. 1 ISSN 0971-0973
34(54.84%) followed by dermo-epidermal
12(19.35%) and deep 3(4.84%).The commonly
associated injures are lacerations followed by
fractures and Abrasion next is head injury.
Highest number of victims have received
treatment with in 1 hour 43(69.35%) followed by
1-2 hours 11(17.74%) and more than 2 hours
3(4.84%).
As per hospital stay most victims, were
admitted within 3 days 40(64.51%), followed by
3-10days 16(25.80%), and more than 10 days
1(1.61%).The results reveal that discharges
were after treatment 40(64.52%), followed by
referred cases 10(16.13%) and left against
medical advice are 7(11.29%), lastly deaths
were 5 (08.06%). In our study, most of the
electrical injury cases were entry wounds 47
(75.80%), followed by exit wound 24(38.71%)
and both entry and exit wounds 22 (35.48%),
next was flash burns 16(25.80%).
In 13(20.96%) cases no signs of
electrocution were observed. In our observation
only entry wound were 25(40.32%) and both
entry and exit wounds were 22(38.48%) cases.
Majority of entry wound were involved in right
hand 25(40.32%) followed by left hand
9(11.51%) and head and neck 5 (8.06%), next is
thorax 4(6.45%); lastly right feet in 1(1.61%). In
3(4.84%) cases both hands are involved. The
most common site of entry wound is hand.
(Table No. 41). Only exit wound were 2(3.23%)
and both entry and exit wounds 22(38.48%)
were observed. Majority of exit wounds are
involved in left feet 13 (20.96%), followed by
right feet 6(9.68%) and left hand 4(6.45%), lastly
left thigh 1(1.61%).
The commonest site of exit wound is
feet. Our study shows in 16 (25.80%) cases
were flash burns. Majority of flash burns are
effected on face and neck 6(9.68%) followed by
thorax 3(4.85%) and upper limbs 3(4.84%) next
is abdomen 2(3.23%), lastly whole body in
2(3.23%) cases were 95-98% of T.B.S.
Our study revealed that in all death
cases, there was internal viscera congestion and
in one case diffuse petechial hemorrhage in
brain white matter was noted.
Discussion:
The widespread commercial utilization
of electrical power has been associated with a
rapid increase of both fatal and nonfatal injury.
In India, death occurs mostly at voltage between
220-240 volts alternative current however death
due to lower voltage had also been reported. [2,
7, 14] The knowledge of incident of electrical
injuries and underlying causes is of prime
importance, the ultimate goal being their
45
prevention. In general the injuries caused by
electrical force that reach the statistics are those
that are fatal or that cause disability for some
duration. Accounts of industrial accidents are
usually accompanied by an investigation report
and this provides useful information. On the
other hand accidents occurring within the home
are poorly documented or not reported at all. For
the year oct-2007-sept-2008, even though they
constitute a miniscule percentage 0.811%
compared to wide spectrum of causative factors
of medico-legal deaths. It is still on higher note
and requires rapt attention as it is the field where
all most all the fatalities are accidental in nature
and mostly due to human error. There are
different types of electrical injuries such as entry
wound, exit wound, both entry and exit wounds
and flash burns and no signs of electrical
injuries. Of the total 62 cases, male were 57 and
female were 5 including children. The
percentage of male victims 57(91.93%) were
more compared to female victims 5(8.06%) as
mention in other studies. [4, 5, 10, 14, 15] The
reason for such a marked male predominance in
a variety of studies from different communities
probably includes the fact that only males are
involved in the electrical works.
The peak incidence was more in the age
group of 21-30 years 24(38.71%) then other
groups. The reason can be attributed to the fact
the age at which one earns for lively hood,
whereas at extreme ages the fatality was quite
rare. These results are consistent with the work
of others in age group 0-11years (2.38%) and
9%. [7]Least number of cases 2(3.23%) in age
group 51-60 and 1(1.61%) in 61-70 years age
group. In children electrical accidents are due to
playing near power lines, removal of entangled
kite from live wires. [1]In extreme ages electrical
accidents are quite rare.
Accidental electrocution among these
would have occurred because of carelessness,
ignorance, haste, malfunction of appliances or
equipment such as ineffective insulation, lack of
protective earthing, faulty grounding and short
circuits. [7]
Out of 62 cases, 59(95.16%) were due
to domestic supply of current and 3(4.84%) were
industrial supply of current. Cases of
electrocution are increasing year after year due
to increased utility of electrical appliances
without taking proper pre caution in the domestic
front. The main factor is being the frequent
power cut, low voltage for most of the time, year
after year, consistent with others. [6]
Low-voltage victims are 42(62.74%)
more than high-voltage victims 20(32.26%). [7]
In death cases 5, out of this 4 cases due to high-